The bill will be examined by the parliament

The independent body will be set up under the Scottish Commissioner for Human Rights Bill.

The aim is to ensure the human rights of people in Scotland are protected in law, policy and practice.

The commissioner, funded with �1m a year from the Scottish Executive, will have the power to investigate public bodies to ensure their compliance.

Deputy Education Minister Robert Brown said communities deserved to have policies and practices which were sensitive to human rights.

The commissioner will help make sure that public authorities respect human rights Robert Brown Deputy Education Minister

"This bill will allow people to gain a better understanding of how human rights can benefit them individually and collectively, while helping and empowering them to assert those rights much more effectively," he said.

"In addition, the commissioner will help make sure that public authorities respect human rights.

"This will be done not only through monitoring and reporting on compliance but by improving authorities' awareness of human rights requirements and providing advice on how these might best be met."

The executive's bill was drafted following consultations in 2001 and 2003.

'No powers'

A Holyrood justice committee has invited individuals and interested parties to submit their views on the bill by 18 November.

Tory justice spokeswoman Margaret Mitchell said: "The suggestion is that this new commissioner will have no real powers, nor will they be in a position to help individuals with the promotion of their case.

"Instead, the role is to promote, educate, make aware, give guidance and monitor.